If you are in the market for a new boat or recently bought one, this article is for you. I bought a new 21′ bowrider boat 3 years ago and have been using it as much as possible. I have made a list of some essentials and “must-haves” I have bought over the last 3 years and also some things that I have researched and are planning on buying next.
My wife and I thought it would be helpful to any new boaters or if you are looking to get into the boating lifestyle.
A Good Anchor
When I first got my boat, it came equipped with a very cheap galvanized anchor. Not knowing much about boats at that time, I went out with it. When I tried to use it, it was a complete nightmare to get it to bite and hold my boat. Not only that, but I also learned that it is an excellent idea to carry 2 anchors on your boat. That way, you can throw one out the bow and the other out the transom, and that way, your boat won’t be spinning around freely and stay where you want it.
After a lot of research, I bought 2 Fortress anchors (link to amazon). These aluminum anchors are the best ones out there. I have my wife or daughter trow them out, and they bite right away. Also, make sure to get a good anchor rope with at least 5′ of chain (link to amazon).
An All-Day Cooler
My boat came equipped with a built-in 70 quarts cooler. The first day we took the boat out and tried it under the very hot Florida sun, the ice completely melted out in about 2 hours.
After that, I got this 45qt RTIC cooler (link to amazon) and was blown away by how long they hold ice. Even in the very hot Florida sun, the ice lasted for a few days. The cooler is very well built and is very durable.
A Boat Grill
Grilling is in my blood, so when we got the boat, it was a no brainer, we had to get a boat grill. If you are wondering if it is possible to grill on a boat (here) is an article about it.
I went for the magma newport 2 Infra red gourmet series gas grill (link to amazon) and could not be happier with the results. It is specifically built for the boating environment with marine grade stainless still and really easy to set up and store away. I personally mounted mine to the transom with this attachment. There are many other ways to install it, depending on what works best for your needs.
Grilling Tools
I love this magma grilling tools (amazon affiliate link). They are also built with marine grade stainless still, so they are going to last you a long time. The tools are collapsable, so storage on their included case is easy and convenient. The size of the included carrying case is 12-½” length by 15″ wide by 2-½” height and can easily fit on most boat’s storage compartments. When extended, they will keep your hands at a safe distance from the fire. The tools are 13-¼” when collapsed and 18″ when fully extended.
Cleaning Stuff
While you are out and about on your boat enjoying the day and the water, sometimes it is inevitable to create a mess on your boat. It could be by accident because of the waves, or it could be unavoidable, for example, if you are fishing. In either case, it is essential to be prepared and have some cleaning supplies on board.
- Cleaning rags
- Garbage bags
- Vinyl cleaner
- Freshwater
- Window cleaner
Tool Kit
Whether you have a brand new boat or a boat with some hours on it, you must have a tool kit onboard. I got this tool kit from amazon (affiliate link). This kit is designed for boaters and is equipped with some essential tools you might need on your boat. This kit comes in an easy to find yellow water-resistant case for your convenience. Having a tool kit on board could make the difference between a quick fix on the water vs. having to call an expensive towboat.
Boat Fenders
You must protect your boat when docked, tied off to another vessel, or any other circumstance where your boat might come in contact with another object. I bought this boat fenders on amazon, and they work great. They come in a pack of 4 and even come with hanging ropes and inflator.
First aid kit
Boating is super fun, no doubt about it, but sometimes accidents happen. Especially if like us, you do a lot of your boating with kids onboard. This is why it is extremely important to have a good first aid kit on your boat.
My wife did a bunch of research, and she recommends the Surviveware small first aid kit (affiliate link to amazon). The bag is water-resistant, and all the items inside are also packed in waterproof zip-top bags. This makes it a great first aid kit for a marine environment.
Spot Light
I like this one from amazon because it is waterproof and rechargeable. My wife and I like to watch the sunset once in a while on our boat. If you haven’t done it, you should because it is a beautiful scene for sure. The only problem is that it is going to get dark on your way back to your boat trailer or dock. It is good to be prepared with a spotlight so you can see where you are going.
Trailer Jack
If you trailer your boat, you need to be prepared in the event of a flat tire or a bad hub. A lot of times, your vehicle’s jack won’t be suitable to lift up your trailer. I got this one on Amazon (affiliate link). It can lift my trailer and boat without any issues. It is also compact enough for easy storage on my vehicle.
Spare Tire
If you trailer your boat, you definitely need to get a spare tire for your trailer. The last thing you need is to have a flat tire on a holiday weekend on your way back home with no spare tire. You should be able to get a spare tire on your local shop or on amazon. I also bought this spare tire mount on amazon to easily mount the spare tire to the boat trailer.
Also, figure out what bearings your boat trailer needs and have a spare set on your truck. Trailer bearings like to brake on vacations and on holiday weekends when all the stores are closed.
Waterproof Bag
You are going to need some dry storage for your documents. Remember that you are on a boat and it can get wet, especially if going on long trips, you need to bring the boat’s papers along with yours and you want to keep them dry. A waterproof bag is great for keeping all your documents dry and handy.
You can bring more waterproof bags to store other important stuff like cameras, smartphones, or even cash. I got this waterproof pouch with a strap on amazon to carry necessary documents, cash, and my phone. I also got this bigger one to keep other bigger stuff dry on the boat, and it comes with a waterproof phone case as a bonus.
Trailer strap
If, like me, you trailer your boat, check out this trailer straps. Although extremely necessary, most boat trailers don’t come equipped with tie-down straps for your boat. It would be best if you tied down your boat to your trailer to prevent it from bouncing off the trailer on the road. You can get these retractable straps and mount them on your trailer. They are super easy to use and are always ready, waiting for you in the trailer.
Add a battery kit
My boat came equipped with only one battery, so this is one of the first things I upgraded. I can get easily distracted with the music and having fun with my friends and family that I was always afraid of rising out of battery. We are also usually the last ones to get out of the water. That’s why adding a second battery was a must for me.
I went with the Blue Sea Systems Add-A-Battery Kit (link to amazon). These kit simplify switching and automate charging so that all you have to do is turn the battery switch ON when you get on your boat and OFF when you store it.
Life jacket
This one is a no brainer, you need life jackets for you and everyone on your boat. I think these inflatable life jackets are fantastic. They are incredibly comfortable to wear, and they don’t take up much space in your boat (storage can be challenging on boats). And of course, it is U.S. Coast Guard-approved. The slim design of the life jackets allows you to move freely as opposed to conventional life jackets.
Storage
Usually, most boats have room for storage that you can and will need to use to store whatever you bring on the boat. The problem is that it is usually just empty storage space with no drawers os any organization method. This can easily be fixed with some storage drawer organizer (link to amazon). All you need to do is find the right size for your boat.
I also recommend that you get a bunch of different sizes of plastic bungee straps. You can use the bungee straps to secure cargo to the boat and not have it bouncing around your boat. I use bungee straps to secure my grill, boat fenders, and docking lines, among other stuff.
Docking Line
This is super important, my boat only came equipped with one docking line and I didn’t realize it until I was trying to tie my boat up to the dock. I ended up having to use the anchor’s rope to tie up my boat (what a stressful situation). I got this set of four dock lines from amazon. these are 15′ x 3/8″ dock lines for boats with 12″ eyelet.
Chartplotter With Transducer
Before owning a boat I owned a Sea-Doo GTX and let me tell you I loved that thing. The problem is that when you do the switch to a boat you have to start worrying about other stuff like depth (a sea-doo can float on inches of water). this is why it is super important that you install a good Chartplotter with a transducer. this will help you navigate the waters while you are aware of what’s under the boat. Do your research and find the best one for your needs and have it installed on your boat. here is a list of the best selling on amazon.
Extra Drain Plug
It is a good idea to have an extra drain plug on your boat just in case you lose or forget to bring it.
